Did you know about these October festivals?
Diwali
2014 will fall on October 23.
Also known as the “festival of lights”, is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year.
The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival of lights to mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas.
Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.
Yom Kippur
Begins: Evening of Friday, October 3, 2014
Ends: Evening of Saturday, October 4, 2014
Yom Kippur also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people.
Central themes: atonement and repentance.
Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.
Eid Al Adha
will fall on October 4 in USA, Canada.
Eid al-Adha is a significant annual Islamic observance for many Muslims in Canada
Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or Festival of Sacrifice as it commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son to God. It is a time marked by special prayers and many Muslims gather for special prayer services. People also visit family and friends, exchange greetings and gifts, and make donations to the poor and needy. Eid al-Adha is also a time for forgiveness and compassion.
